NITDA signs MoU with Canadian tech firms

Federal Government has called on Nigerians in the diaspora to move beyond remittances and channel their resources, expertise and global connections into structured investments that can drive Nigeria’s economic transformation.

The call was made at the maiden Nigeria-Canada Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto, organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), under the theme, “Thrive Abroad, Invest at Home.”

The conference brought together the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Governors of Zamfara and Anambra states, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, members of the National Assembly, Canadian investors and members of the Nigerian community in Canada.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the Nigerian diaspora as an untapped economic resource, urging Nigerians abroad not only to succeed in their host countries but also to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.

She challenged members of the diaspora to invest in at least one project back home, mentor a young Nigerian, partner with an SME or support institutions such as hospitals, schools and communities.

On her part, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said the government was not asking Nigerians abroad to invest in the country merely because it is their homeland, but because Nigeria presents a strong and increasingly attractive business proposition.

According to her, Nigeria’s real GDP grew by 3.89 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, while manufacturing grew by 3.29 per cent. She added that capital importation reached 10.37 billion dollars, representing an increase of more than 83 per cent year-on-year.

The Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, also challenged Nigerians in the diaspora to be more willing to take investment risks, citing the growing presence of Chinese investors in Nigeria.

Lawal disclosed that he recently visited lithium-processing factories in China and said Zamfara State had significant deposits of high-grade lithium.

Chairman of the Senate and House Committees on Diaspora described Nigerians abroad as one of the country’s greatest assets, citing their excellence, resilience, innovation and hard work.

Citing World Bank data, which they said showed remittances to Nigeria stood at 21.9 billion dollars, while Canada ranked fifth globally in total remittances but first in per-person contribution.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has strengthened its international technology partnerships through the signing of strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with Canadian technology companies Goose FL and Fireflies AI in Toronto, Canada.

The agreements, witnessed by NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, are aimed at supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation while expanding the country’s technology ecosystem and global partnerships.